Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson at Ibid Creek.* Richard Malihan photo
The volcanic earthquakes at Mt. Kanlaon have drastically increased.
Kanlaon Volcano was rocked by 176 volcanic earthquakes during its 24-hour observation period, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported on Tuesday, Sept. 16.
Phivolcs had reported 41 earthquakes on Sunday and 72 on Monday.
The volcano also emitted 1,071 tons of sulfur dioxide.
Phivolcs reiterated its warning against sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions, and precursory magmatic activity.
The volcano remains under Alert Level 2, which signifies increased unrest.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson attended a Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park (MKNP) Protected Area Management Board Committee meeting on Tuesday.
Lacson, along with Rep. Emilio Yulo III (Neg. Occ., 5th District), La Castellana Mayor Añejo Nicor, Provincial Environment Management Office head Julie Ann Bedrio, and Provincial Disaster Management Program head Irene Bel Ploteña, also inspected the clearing of volcanic debris in La Castellana.
They conducted an ocular inspection of the clearing operations at Ibid Creek in Barangay Biak-na-Bato, La Castellana, after the waterway was blocked by volcanic materials washed down by recent heavy rains.
Yulo said they will send a report to Environment Secretary Raphael Lotilla seeking clearance for the transfer of cleared lahar deposits at Ibid Creek out of the Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park.*